iApply

Early, Active Teaching/Learning Curriculum Transformation

STEM VR Course Reform-Faculty Training

• Curriculum Reform: Transform the University’s STEM education platform from a traditional discipline defined model to a more active, hands-on model that meets the needs of STEM employers and graduate research programs. Institutionalize reformed teaching and learning strategies by including enhanced methods of delivery and interaction such as VR environments within critical gateway science courses such as principles of chemistry, principles of biology, principles of forensic science, introductory physics, and organic chemistry. Towards this end, we will implement academic year and summer training for faculty in STEM VR curriculum enhancement.
• Goal: Each year recruit STEM VR course reform faculty from the pool of 7 Faculty Awareness and Commitment to Excellence (FACE) Training Program being trained each year. In 5 years, train 11 faculty in VR training to develop 9 introductory lab courses.
• Expected Outcomes: ~1500 STEM students will be enrolled in 9 reformed VR lab courses. The reforming the lab courses with VR and other active learning approaches will increase student success at the next level of education.

Transform Faculty 2025

Teresa I. Shakespeare Ph.D.
Professor & Dean (interim)
College of Sciences and Technology, SSU

Chao Guan Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Forensic Science, SSU
Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science

Karla-Sue Marriott Ph.D.
Professor of Forensic Science, Roger Williams University

Phyllis Blumberg Ph.D. 
Educational Consultant on Effective Teaching, Lasting Learning, and Assessment

Student-Centered, Applied, Interdisciplinary Research Training

Trainee Selection: Seventy-five (75) talented trainees (15/yr) will be selected each Spring to engage in a comprehensive academic year and summer training program incorporating the traditional elements of SSU’s well established training programs.

Scholar Recruitment: Fifteen (15) talented iApply Scholars were selected to engage in a comprehensive academic year and summer training program [GPA: >2.8; Stipend:  ($4.500-AY: $1500; Summer: $3,000 + free campus housing-8 weeks)

Interdisciplinary Applied STEM Research Training:  The objective is to strengthen SSU’s traditional undergraduate research training model through team-based applied/interdisciplinary training approach, involving 3 teams of 5 merit scholars each, led by multi-disciplinary faculty teams

Expected outcomes: Increase in applied/interdisciplinary student/faculty research. The students will:

• Explore useful applications of scientific theory
• Communicate more fluidly across scientific disciplines
• Demonstrate competency in the ability to search and use scientific literature
• Use scientific literature to support the presentation of research results
• Demonstrate harmonious teamwork with accountability
• Master and apply specialized scientific techniques towards the development of a useful and relevant product.

Professional Development Training

iApply Cohort 5 scholars were selected in Spring 2025 (Table 1). Following their selection, they participated in a series of seminars and workshops designed to support their professional development seminars and workshops.

 iAPPLY Cohort 5 scholars

Research Group A Presentations:

1. Coleman S., Morales J., Walker, Shanks N, Dodson A, Johnson J, Shakespeare T. Identifying Novel Caenorhabditis elegans Strains in Southeast Georgia for Metabolic. 2026 ERN Conference, Atlanta, GA, March 19-22, 2026.
2. Coleman S., Morales J., Walker, Shanks N, Dodson A, Johnson J, Shakespeare T. Identifying Novel Caenorhabditis elegans Strains in Southeast Georgia for Metabolic. 12th SSU Annual Research Conference, Savannah, GA, April, 2026.

Research Group B Presentations:

1. Vyas J and Nitta T. Glycosphingolipids Regulate Release and Infectivity of Murine LeukemiaVirus. 87th Annual Meeting of Association of Southeastern Biologists, Mobile, AL, March 2026.
2. Moody M, Bosompem V, Hampton C, Washington Q, Guan C, Nitta T. Benzalkonium Chloride Reduced DNA Double-Strand Break and Apoptosis Induced by Etoposide. 2026 ERN Conference, Atlanta, GA, March (19-22) 2026.
3. Vyas J and Nitta T. Characterization of Murine Leukemia Viruses in MEB-4 and GM-95 cells. 2026 ERN Conference, Atlanta, GA, March (19-22) 2026.
4. Shaw J, Bosompem V, Moody M, Hampton C, Washington Q, Guan C and Nitta T. Statin Impaired Replication of Murine Leukemia Virus. 2026 ERN Conference, Atlanta, GA, March (19-22) 2026.
5. Barry H and Nitta T. Involvement of the GM3 Synthesis Pathway in M-MuLV Glyco-gag Facilitated Virus Replication. 2026 ERN Conference, Atlanta, GA, March (19-22) 2026.
6. Washington Q, Moody M, Bosompem V, Shaw J, Hampton C, Guan C and Nitta T. Effects of Caffein on Replication of Murine Leukemia Virus. 2026 ERN Conference, Atlanta, GA, March (19-22) 2026.
7. Rogers K and Nitta T. Role of Phospholipase A2 on replication of Jaagsiekte Sheep Retrovirus. 2026 ERN Conference, Atlanta, GA, March (19-22) 2026.
8. Hampton C, Shaw J, Moody M, Washington Q, Bosompem V, Nitta T and Guan C. Upcycling PET into Conjugated Molecular Building Blocks. 2026 ERN Conference, Atlanta, GA, March (19-22) 2026.
9. Bosompem V, Shaw J, Moody M, Hampton C, Washington Q, Abdelsaid M. Effect of Obesity on Melanoma, Role of Ephrin-B2. 2026 ERN Conference, Atlanta, GA, March (19-22) 2026.
10. Silas T, Nitta T. A Machine Learning–Based Image Analysis Platform for Quantitative Assessment of DNA Double-Strand Breaks and Apoptosis. 12th SSU Annual Research Conference, Savannah, GA, April, 2026.
11. Barry H, Nitta T. Involvement of the GM3 Synthesis Pathway in M-MuLV Glyco-gag Facilitated Virus Replication. 12th SSU Annual Research Conference, Savannah, GA, April, 2026.
12. Shaw J, Nitta T. Statin Impaired Replication of Murine Leukemia Virus. 12th Annual SSU Research Conference, Savannah, GA, April, 2026.
13. Vyas J, Nitta T. Characterization of Murine Leukemia Viruses in MEB-4 and GM-95 Cells. 12th Annual Research Conference, Savannah, GA, April, 2026.
14. Hampton C, Shaw J, Moody M, Washington Q, Bosompem V, Nitta T and Guan C. Upcycling PET into Conjugated Molecular Building Blocks. 12th SSU Annual Research Conference, Savannah, GA, April, 2026.
15. Moody M, Bosompem V, Hampton C, Washington Q, Guan C, Nitta T. Benzalkonium Chloride Reduced DNA Double-Strand Break and Apoptosis Induced by Etoposide. 12th SSU Annual Research Conference, Savannah, GA, April, 2026.
16. Bosompem V, Shaw J, Moody M, Hampton C, Washington Q, Abdelsaid M. Effect of Obesity on Melanoma, Role of Ephrin-B2. 12th SSU Annual Research Conference, Savannah, GA, April, 2026.

Research Group C Presentations:

1. Wright J, Nevins S, Anderson S, Dillard J, Enoch N, Karin Cotta, Hongo D. Modulation of T Cell Activation and APC Maturation Following Microplastic Internalization. 2026 ERN Conference, Atlanta, GA, March (19-22) 2026.
2. Holt L, Jordyn Fowler J, Hongo D. The Effects Microplastics uptake on Regulatory T Cells in mice Peritoneum cavity. 12th SSU Annual Research Conference, Savannah, GA, April, 2026.
3. Wright J, Nevins S, Anderson S, Dillard J, Enoch N, Karin Cotta, Hongo D. Effects of Microplastics Uptake on Peritoneal Cells in Mice. 12th SSU Annual Research Conference, Savannah, GA, April, 2026.

Faculty Awareness and Commitment to Excellence (FACE) Training Program and Teaching & Learning Resource Archive

Faculty Training & Professional Development
FACE will provide self-reflective professional development and education research support for 35 STEM faculty (5 cohorts; each cohort 7 faculty) to inspire and sustain continuous curriculum reforms to meet the needs of our undergraduates. STEM faculty will be provided with the necessary tools required to continuously refresh and reform teaching and learning environments with the goal of strengthening the ability of our students to be dynamic learners, thinkers, and creative innovators, well prepared to be productive members of the scientific community.

FACE Faculty Teaching & Learning Resources Archive
Each year successful faculty teaching and learning implementation projects will be documented and archived on the iApply web site as a resource for SSU faculty, as well as the academic community at large.

Objectives:

1. Update STEM course curriculum, refresh and reform teaching and learning environments
2. Facilitate strengthening the ability of students to be dynamic learners, thinkers, and creative innovators, well prepared to be productive members of the scientific community.

Chellu S Chetty Ph.D.: Principal Investigator
Regents Distinguished Professor of Biology (Retired)
Department of Biological Sciences
[email protected]912.358.4277

Dr. Teresa Shakespeare: Co-Pi
Dean of Cost
Department of Biological Sciences
[email protected]912.358.4436

Dr. Takayuki Nitta: Co-Pi
Chair Biology
Department of Biological Sciences
[email protected] 912.358.4459

Dr. Chao Guan: Co-Pi
Assistant Professor
Chemistry & Forensic Science
[email protected] 912.358.4457

Mr. Alex Pierce: iApply Program Coordinator
[email protected] 912.358.4445

Mr. Anthony Palacios: Virtual Reality Immersive
Technology Research Assistant
[email protected]912.358.3825

Dr. Deborah E. Ward:
Program Evaluator

Dr. Phyllis Blumberg:
Research Education Consultant

Dr. Karla Sue Marriott:
Program Consultant

Led by Dr. Phyllis Blumberg, the research study will test the hypothesis that reforming introductory lab courses with VR and other active learning approaches will improve student learning. The research study will compare student learning results compiled in year 1 (control group before lab reform) with student learning outcomes in years 2-5 for the 1576 students who enroll in reformed labs.